The GA Vote: Lies, damned lies, and numbers.

The DNSO’s General Assembly has voted on two motions. The first one, calling for a re-bid (termed “open competition”) of ICANN functions received 148 votes in favor, 54 against, and 15 abstentions. The second one, emphasizing core principles for I…

The DNSO’s General Assembly has voted on two motions. The first one, calling for a re-bid (termed “open competition”) of ICANN functions received 148 votes in favor, 54 against, and 15 abstentions. The second one, emphasizing core principles for ICANN evolution and reform, received 164 votes in favor, 33 against, and 19 abstentions.

What does all this mean? Most importantly, the GA voting registry’s members (more precisely: 75% of those who decided to participate in the vote) insist in ICANN respecting the fundamental principles, including transparent process, broad input into policy-making, which must include meaningful individual and non-commercial participation, and accountability (including independent review of decisions) (quoted from motion two). Second, 67.9% of those who participated in the vote also seem to be close to giving up on the current reform process, and hope that an open competition aiminng to achieve comprehensive privatization and internationalization of DNS services, consistent with the need for stability, but also innovation, competition and freedom (quoted from motion one) could help.

That’s all – there’s not much more to this vote: It’s not a statement of the DNSO constituencies’ consensus. It’s not binding to anyone, neither to the Names Council, nor to the board, nor to the DoC.

CPTech‘s James Love, the proponent of the original “re-bid” motion, at least gives a full account of the facts in this message to his random-bits mailing list – if you look closely enough. Because, of course, the motion which drew less votes in favor (he ridiculously calls it the “nuclear option” – bad enough, it’s a firecracker at best) is “the most important vote”.